Kinnitty Castle

General information

Kinnitty Castle Hotelis a gothic revival Castle located at the foothills of the Slieve Bloom Mountains in County Offaly, in the centre of Ireland. The castle hotel offers a unique Georgian Style Restuarant, a Library Bar which houses a unique collection of antique books and journals, and an exquisite Louis XV style Drawing Room. There are also two private Dining Rooms where guests may enjoy gourmet cuisine in a more private setting.

History

The First Castle at Kinnitty was destroyed in 1209 and was later rebuilt by the Norman’s in 1213. Later the powerful Gaelic Clan, the O’Carrolls of Ely, drove out the Norman’s. During the Norman period an Augustian Abbey was established near the Castle, of which the famous High Cross and Abbey walls still remain.

In 1630 William O’Carroll built a New Castle in Close Proximity to the old Abbey. The English Forces as part of the plantation of Offaly confiscated this in 1641, or “Kings County” as it was renamed. In 1664 the crown granted an estate, which included the castle, to Col. Thomas Winter as reward for military service. The estate was sold by Col. Winter’s descendants to the Bernard family in 1764. In 1811 Lady Catherine Hutchinson, wife of Thomas Winter, commissioned the famous Pan Brothers, architectures of Dromoland Castle and Adare Manor, to extend the Castle to what it is today, a gem of neo gothic architecture.

In 1922, as with many stately homes in Ireland the Castle was burned by Republican forces. The Castle was rebuilt in 1928, and the Bernard family lived there until 1946 when it was sold to Lord Decies, which in turn sold the Castle to the State in 1951. The State retained ownership until it was purchased by the Ryan family in 1994 and has been since transformed into a luxury 37-bedroom hotel.

Putting it on the map

Getting there

Kinnitty Castle Hotel is just outside the quaint village of Kinnitty in County Offaly near the town of Birr in Midlands Ireland.

Kinnitty Castle is in close proximity to Mountrath, Mountmellick and Monicknew Woods showcasing more of the beautiful Slieve Blooms Mountains that surround the area, which provides some spectacular walking trails and fabulous views.

Accommodation

Abbey Court Rooms

O’Carroll Baronial Rooms

Bernard State Rooms

Activities

Kinnitty Castle offers a range of leisure activities, tennis, game fishing, clay pigeon shooting and walking all amid the splendor of the Slieve Bloom Mountains. The Castle has almost 30 years experience in wedding organisation and has been home to many celebrity weddings over the years.